The multi-band communication satellite named "Rukmini" will keep an eye on 2,000 nautical miles of the Indian Ocean region, providing live inputs to be used by Indian Navy ships, submarines and aircraft. The Indian Army, too, will get vital inputs about over-the-land movements. (AFP)

"The Ariane-5 rocket took off from Kourou at 2am IST and precisely placed GSAT-7 into the intended Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) after a flight of 34 minutes 25 seconds duration," an Isro statement said. (AFP)